Taiwan trip in Dec 2022, first trip after COVID
Taiwan has been one of my favourite holiday destination before Covid period.
The delicious food, the friendly Taiwanese are one of the main reasons for my repeated visits.
Prices in Taiwan has significantly increased after covid, hotels and food are not as affordable compared to pre-covid. Most food prices are almost similar to what we paid in SG or are just slightly lower, and if we compare to the living standards in Taiwan, it is very much less affordable for them.
This will be our first trip back to Taiwan again after Covid and we were really excited.
There are still some Covid rules however quarantine is not required anymore, people still wear masks outdoor ~
We took the afternoon flight on new year eve from Singapore to Taoyuan.
Landed in the evening and took the HSR to Taichung immediately..
It was already 8/9 pm when we reached Taichung, most people are already at the countdown location waiting and enjoying the countdown performance.
Checked in to our hotel in Taichung Feng Chia, we will be staying for 2 nights here.
Hotel: Fengchia INNK Hotel
This hotel is just a short walk to Fengchia night market, and price is considered quite reasonable!
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| Fengchia innk hotel |
It was really crowded, As it was during the holiday season 31st December..
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| Walking to Fengchia night market |
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| Bad traffic jam |
We bought some snacks and loitered around till 12am, new year!
Caught a glimpse of the fireworks from the night market area..
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| Firework |
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| Another glimpse of the firework |
Day 2 Chang Hua 彰化 day trip
On the first day of 2023, we booked a driver to ChangHua, it was the first time visiting.
ChangHua is located like 30 minutes from Taichung, and it is great for a day trip from Taichung.
There are buses from Taichung as well, but we chose to book a driver for a day trip as it is more convenient and also to save time.
First stop will be Changhua Roundhouse, 彰化扇形车库
This place is operated by the Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA).
They have many different types of train on display, it was 1 of the train depo built way back in 1922.
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| The first display we saw |
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| This is the main display area |
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| it was really crowded as well |
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| R112 train series |
After visiting the roundhouse, we visited the old street.
鹿港老街 or Lukang Old street
There are many food options available in this old street and the place is nicely renovated and clean as well.
Additionally, there are also a few famous temple in this area~
The building structure and street here are really nice and good for your photography needs!
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| Entrance |
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| A random shot of a alley at Lukang old street |
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| The shop and the alley |
What to eat in Lukang old street?
Lukang is located facing the Taiwan Strait hence famed for its wide selection of seafood and olden days food. Here are some of the must try food when you are in Lukang old street!
1. Mian Xian Hu or 面线糊
This is Mee sua (vermicelli ) with gravy, a traditional fujian xiamen specialty and considered a comfort food for many of us.
It is cooked with oyster or can be just plain with mee sua only.
A randomly went to this stall in Lugang, could get the actual name or location, but it is located in Lugang in a tent like structure. Their Mian Xian Hu is a plain version with just Mee sua and gravy.
The shop can get very crowded from time to time, we had to share table with the other patrons as well.
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| This is how the stall looks like |
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| This is the small bowl NT30 |
2. 蝦猴, fried mantis shrimps
This is another snacks that are widely sold in Lugang and its basically fried shrimps.
It is really delicious and crunchy which is also a must try here!
3. Niu she bing 牛舌餅 or Cow tongue cookie
The name is this snack might scare you a little, but they are not cow's tongue, it is just basically a named as Cow Tongue cookie because it looks like cow tongue.
The cookies are thick, soft and have a filling inside, it tastes really nice when its warm.
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| Tried the Taro flavor cookie! |
4. 米茶 or Rice Tea or mian cha
We didn't try this but it is sold almost everywhere in Lugang and changhua area
It is a drink made from powder which consist of tea, flour and some flavorings.
It will be mixed with hot water and looks like some gravy or thick syrup which is really filing.
5. 阿三肉圓 or meat Pau/ball
There are a few different style of meat Pau available, one of which is Pau with meat inside, and the other one is Pau with meat + gravy.
阿三肉包 is the version with gravy and one of the popular and highly rated stall.
This is located outside of Lugang, locals love this and are willing to queue for it.
location:
彰化市三民路242號, Changhua, Taiwan (Closed on Monday)
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| The queue was quite long when we reached |
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| The fried it and mixed the different gravy/sauce |
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| This is how 1 portion looks like, its yummy though but kind of not used to the sauce/gravy. |
Temples we visited in Lukang Old street
天后宮 / Lukang Tianhou Temple
This is also known as Lugang Mazu temple, located in Lugang Old street, one of Taiwan's oldest Mazu temples.
The architecture, design is also one of the notable ones, it is worth a visit to have a look at the architecture or to worship / offer your prayer.
Location: No. 430, Zhongshan Rd., Lukang Township, Changhua County
After Lukang old street, we went to Mt. Bagua or
i think there isn't anything interesting there, but you can just drive up for a quick tour
There is a Big Buddha located on Mt Bagua, built in 1961.
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| Old plane display at Mt Bagua |
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| The view from Mt Bagua |
Next, we went back to Taichung, and visited somewhere new.
審計新村 or Sheng Ji Village
Location: Ln. 368, Minsheng Rd., West Dist., Taichung City Taiwán, R.O.C
This is more of a lively, vibrant and artsy place with many shops, popular among the local youngster.
It is also a nice place for photo taking especially at night.
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| Tend to get crowded especially on weekends |
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| Photogenic shops/cafe |
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| Looks like the lantern in jiufen |
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| From the second floor |
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| Its really nice with those lights |
Yi Zhong street 一中街
This place offers alot of shopping and food and there are many students here as it is located near 2 universities!
it is also like a night market and sell many night market food, drinks~
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| A very old school bubble tea |
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| Yiming yizhohng street |
Back to FengChia night market
Last stop will be Fengchia night market before going back to our hotel.
Tried a few nice and must eat food here!
One of which is the sweet potato balls~
This is one of the famous stall in fengchia night market, you will see a long queue no matter what.
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| Queueing for the sweet potato |
Tried tis Teppanyaki as well!
Love this teppanyaki , it is conveniently located just on the street of fengjia night market.
the Rice and drinks are free flow as well.
豪品鐵板燒 逢甲店
Location: No. 564-1號, Fuxing Rd, Xitun District, Taichung City, Taiwan 407
They serve a wide variety of teppanyaki, from chicken, beef to fishes, scallops etc.
Rice and Drinks and free flow.
Stir Fried cabbage are complementary as well, you will be served the cabbage almost immediately.
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| Yummy |
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| Ordered too much :) |
New year surprise bags from convenience store in 2023
Since we visited during the new year, the convenience store sells a few different kind of surprise bags!
for a certain fee, you get a bag , some food and drinks and food vouchers.
there are many different pricing tier as well, including 'luggage' , kitchen appliances etc.
For me, i just bought a smallest surprise bag available , surprise bag 1 is about NT250 and Surprise bag 2 is about NT350 (kind of forgotten the price)
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| Surprise bag 1 |
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| Surprise bag 2 |
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| Surprise bag 3 |
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